Rising medical costs pushing even insured Indians to skip treatment: Report

The rising cost of health care in India is forcing even people with medical cover to sometimes skip visits to the doctor's office and essential treatment, according to a new report by GOQii, a smart preventive healthcare company.

GOQii’s “India Fit Report 2025” is based on data from 6 million users and a survey of 2,000 individuals. ET has reviewed a copy of the report.

The survey found that nearly one in five Indians is foregoing essential treatment due to the high cost involved. About 71% of the people who participated in the survey said that healthcare costs have skyrocketed.


The report, titled “Beyond the Brink: Confronting India’s Healthcare Affordability Crisis”, warns that rising out-of-pocket expenses are turning healthcare into a luxury. Even those with medical insurance coverage are feeling the pinch—36% of insured respondents admitted to cutting back on doctor visits, citing high costs despite having coverage.

“The rising cost of healthcare is not just a statistic—it’s a silent emergency unfolding in households across India,” said Vishal Gondal, founder and chief executive of GOQii. “We must rewrite the rules to ensure health is a right, not a privilege.”

From rationed insulin to delayed surgeries, the report documents troubling anecdotes: elderly patients postponing procedures, parents avoiding medical care for children, and families selling assets to help pay for hospital bills. Around 12.3% of respondents said they have delayed treatment due to financial constraints.

The fallout isn’t just financial. Health outcomes are worsening, too. The share of the “unhealthy” population rose by 3.84% over the past year, with a glaring gender gap: 64% of women were classified as unhealthy compared with 40% of men.

Blood pressure topped the list of ailments, with 48.7% of respondents saying they have the health problem, followed by diabetes at 39% and cholesterol at 24%—all lifestyle diseases that continue to rise across demographics.

The survey also indicated an erosion in trust in health insurance. It pointed to frequent claim denials, restrictive exclusions, and inadequate coverage, pushing households back into the cycle of debt and distress. A majority of respondents now rely on out-of-pocket spending—a trend that threatens to deepen inequality in healthcare access.

The public sentiment is shifting fast. Six in ten respondents wanted the government to step in with stronger regulation of healthcare pricing.

However, the report offers a glimmer of hope through a model which links insurance benefits to healthy behaviour, which is gaining traction. More than half (54%) of respondents said they would consider wellness-linked insurance plans that include preventive care, digital coaching and regular screenings.

Users of such programmes, according to GOQii, report fewer hospital visits and lower medical bills.